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To quote the classic New Orleans song, “It’s carnival time … and everybody’s having fun!”

And that certainly is the case in Central Jersey with dozens of events that will leave families and their wee ones squealing with glee and bursting with delight. Whether Catholic festas, 4-H fairs or just straight-up carnies passing through, Carnival Time in Central Jersey is here and abundant.

For several Catholic parishes, carnivals are a time-honored tradition that raise crucial parish and school operating and program funds, while also bringing the greater community together in the universal spirit of the church, said Erin Friedlander, spokeswoman for the Diocese of Metuchen.

“We love our carnivals,” Friedlander said. “Sometimes referred to as ‘festivals’ or ‘festas,’ these events can be a fun and joyful way of celebrating the ethnic origins of a parish, where the food and music reflects the culture of its parishioners. Hosting a carnival on parish grounds is a way of building community among the people of the parish and, by extension, a way to reach out to the greater community. There is a familiar saying that, ‘Many hands make light work.’ While putting on a multi-day event can be a lot of work, it’s wonderful to see many people come together to make a carnival a great success for their parish.”

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Starting now

Catholic carnival season kicks off this week at St. Matthew’s in Edison and Our Lady of Czestochhowa in South Plainfield, as well as the annual Lebanese Festival of Saint Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Franklin, where the desserts are as sweet as the young, smiling faces enjoying games and activities (see event dates and more details below).

The fun continues with nearly a dozen more church carnivals into late July. They range from the dazzling fireworks and rides of the Immaculate Conception parishes in Spotswood and Annandale section of Clinton to the year-long labor of love folded into 20,000 homemade pierogis to be served at Sacred Heart’s 49th annual Parish Festival in Manville. Polish food also is a treat at the Saint Stanislaus Kostka Carnival in Sayreville.

“Our best seller is the food,” said the Rev. Stanley Slaby, the pastor at the predominantly Polish congregations at both Sacred Heart and Christ the Redeemer in Manville. “Every Tuesday, 20 volunteers make pierogis. Once it’s finished, they start preparing for the new one. But I do believe that people come not only for the food but also because it’s a great community event.”

Monsignors at both Immaculate Conceptions agreed that community is the key ingredient that makes their well-attended carnivals so successful.

The oohs and aahs that come with top-notch fireworks displays and massive, brightly lit Ferris wheels doesn’t hurt the gate, they said.

“It’s such a great family event because there’s something for everyone: fireworks, entertainment, a pig roast, rides, ethnic food, carnival food,” said Randy Vashon of Immaculate Conception in Annandale. “The fireworks are quite popular. Other parishes in cities have restrictions that we don’t have. I like that there’s a whole section for younger children. There are lots of rides for older kids, but there’s also a section where families can watch their young children on rides.”

Monsignor Joe Kerry of Immaculate Conception in Spotswood added, “It brings people together. It’s something all-encompassing that brings all ethnicities and age groups together whether they’re in the parish and its school or not and unites them.”

The Somerset County 4-H and the Middlesex County Fair both can be enjoyed this weekend. Pictured Francesca Santowasso of South Brunswick as she gives Emma, a bunny from the Middlesex County 4-H Club, a kiss while visiting the small animal tent last year.(Photo: ~File)

Other carnivals

Non-church carnivals also abound this summer, along with a variety of fairs and festivals.

The 21st annual North Brunswick Sports Festival always is a blast for families as it takes over the large field next to Devry University on Route 1 North. The massive event is the third largest carnival or festival in New Jersey with an array of family entertainment, including shows featuring elephants, tigers, and sea lion shows, plus a petting zoo, magic show, acrobats, games, fireworks and a midway filled with flashy rides. As always, profits go to the township’s recreational sports programs.

In Perth Amboy and South Amboy, fireworks have become a really big deal, so much so that the cities are raising funds to make their annual joint display a super special family event with a variety of activities preceding the spangled skies above the Perth Amboy Bayfront on July 3.

“The Independence Day celebration acknowledges our city’s role in shaping the American experience from the Colonial era through the 21st Century,” Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz said. “We know that holiday weekend is a time families can come together to relax, share more time with their children, and reflect on all the liberties we have in this great nation. As a city, we are grateful that with the generous contributions from our friends, we can present the spectacular fireworks to everyone for free.”

For festive family fun, you also never can go wrong with the 4-H fairs in Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon counties. All three feature adorable young farm animals raised by children, and the Middlesex and Hunterdon 4-H fairs also offer a variety of carnival attractions.

A blend of eco love and carnie fare also makes the 14th annual Sourland Music Festival a bright spot on the family calendar. The festival also showcases Central Jersey’s best music, craft beer, homegrown wine and local food, all to benefit the Sourland Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to protect, promote and preserve the unique character of the Sourland Mountain region.

“It’s a gathering of families and community to celebrate the Sourland Mountain region and the great outdoors,” Chairwoman Suzanne Parsons said. “Members from all five Sourland municipalities have been working hard to make this year’s event better than ever.”

New features include Cool Critters, a collaboration between environmental and wildlife groups that will focus on bats, alpacas, box turtles, snakes, birds, and bees. Participants also can test vertical strength on the Rock Climbing Wall and try Sourland Cycles’ newest mountain bike on a test trail near the host venue, Hillsborough Golf and Country Club.

While Grammy winner John Ginty headlines the Sourland Fest, the music of Pat Benatar, George Thorogood, Plain White T’s, Laurie Berkner, Jake Miller and more can be enjoyed at the 35th annual QuickCheck New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. The beloved balloon fest once again will take place in Solberg Airport in the Whitehouse Station of Readington with a three days of carnival-like attractions, plus two launches of a sky full of hot air balloons daily.

“We're more than just a lot of hot air," quipped Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman. "We strive to make the festival an exciting, affordable family-friendly event year after year. This year's concert lineup appeals to our wide-ranging audience from children to adults. The acrobatic AeroSphere Balloon Show from America's Got Talent will dazzle everyone. And there are lots of age-appropriate activities and entertainment. With the balloons taking off in the morning and the evening, it’s a full day for the entire family.”

Brunswick Square Mall Summer Fair, through June 11, East Brunswick. Free admission to arts and crafts and live music. Carnival rides, food and vendor wares for sale. www.simon.com/mall/brunswick-square_

Festa di San Antonio, June 10, Good Shepherd Parish at Most Holy Rosary Church, Hopelawn. Italian food and desserts, kids games and activities. Free admission. www.goodshepherdnj.org

Westfield Street Fair, June 10, downtown Westfield with more than 200 artists, crafters and vendors. Free admission and parking. 908-654-1400

Flag Day Festival, June 10, Main Street, Somerville. Features historic military vehicles and re-enactors, plus kids’ carnival games, entertainment and crafts. Rain date is June 11. http://flagdayfestival.org/

Clinton Elks Music Festival, June 10 and June 11, Pittstown. Performances by Joe Mama, What the Funk, Phido, Slackjaw, Black Cross, 90 Proof Band and more. $10 admission, plus silent auction to support needy children. www.facebook.com/events/551531541717139

Church of Immaculate Conception Carnival, June 13 to 17, church and school grounds, Spotswood. Free admission, tickets for carnival rides, games of chance, Beer Garden and Food Pavilion, 50/50s and raffles for sale. Fireworks June 17 after dark. Live music nightly. www.chicspotswood.com

St. Ann 112th annual Festa, June 14 to 17, church and school grounds, Raritan Borough. Italian celebration is free to attend with tickets sold for homemade Italian food, beer, wine, games, rides, 50/50s. Entertainment includes a DJ and live Italian band. 908-725-1008

Sourland Music Festival, June 17, Hillsborough Golf and Country Club. $10-$80 to benefit Sourland Conservancy. With music by John Ginty Band, Lisa Bouchelle, Karl Dietel Five and more, plus Cool Critters, rock climbing, and local beer and wine. www.SourlandMusicFest.org

Duke Farms Firefly Festival, July 8 and 9, Hillsborough. Meander two miles of trails them through woodlands, meadows and along lakeshores to glimpse of fireflies in action. Plus vendors, café specialty items. Bring a flashlight covered in red cellophane. www.dukefarms.org

St. John Vianney Carnival, July 11 to 15, parish grounds, Colonia section of Woodbridge. Free admission. Food and tickets to rides and games for sale. Super Summer Splash on July 15. 732-574-0150